So battered with potholes

Helemul Alam

A pool of water accumulated on the potholed and muddy road from Postogola, Dhaka, to Pagla, Naryanganj. Automobiles plying the road remain at risk of damage and accident due to bumpy ride. Photo: Amran Hossain

Abu Zafar, a rickshaw-van puller, had to spend Tk 1,450 after his vehicles turned on its side on the pothole-ridden 12-km road from Postagola of Shyampur to Ponchoboti of Narayanganj.

Like other workdays, a local business man had hired him on Sunday to carry some iron materials to Postagola bridge area from Shympur on his rickshaw-van, promising him to pay Tk 300.

But, the accident happened in the middle of the road.

“I did not get the money although I almost had made it. It took 1,200 taka to repair my van,” he said, adding he had to buy pills worth Tk 250 for his knee injuries which put him out of work the following day.

“I usually earn 500 taka every day,” he added.

The 12-km road is so battered in many places that vehicles often topple over on the sides hitting potholes hidden under stagnant water.

Thanks to the poor drainage system, even a slight rain is capable of submerging the road in many places.